Date published: 24 April 2019 by Anna Jackson
Phoebe Doneghan, aged six, is fronting the Great Rainbow Bake Campaign to help raise funds to support families with a seriously ill child.
Phoebe, who was diagnosed with Fanconi Anaemia in March 2018, an extremely rare disease that affects the bone marrow, has been supported by Rainbow Trust for the past year and is delighted to have been chosen to be the face of the baking fundraiser.
The Great Rainbow Bake, which is also supported by 2016 Great British Bake Off winner Candice Brown, takes place from 6 to 12 May and invites people to take on the challenge of rainbow baking with family, friends or colleagues to raise vital funds to support families with a seriously ill child when it matters most.
Phoebe’s mum Lauren said:
“It is fantastic that Phoebe is well enough to front the Great Rainbow Bake Campaign and it’s an opportunity for our whole family to show our thanks to Rainbow Trust for all the support we have been given over the past year.”
Shortly after Phoebe’s diagnosis she underwent a gruelling bone marrow transplant. Incredibly her Dad Tom was a perfect match for his daughter and was able to donate bone marrow to her, but the recovery process has been very challenging.
Lauren said: “Phoebe had to spend 37 days in an isolation ‘bubble’ after her bone marrow transplant, where she could not have any visitors aside from me or my husband. Since August 2018 she’s still been in semi-isolation at home where she couldn’t mix with people outside the family as her immune system was still so compromised. Only now are we able to start her mixing with friends and letting her go to parties. She’s still not back at school although we are hoping she can start soon.
“Having our Rainbow Trust Family Support Worker Monica there was a huge support to myself and my family, it gave us a much-needed break to do chores, make phone calls or grab something to eat. Those long days in isolation were relentless, so having Monica come in to give us a break made such a difference for all of us.
“We are so grateful for Monica who has supported and guided us through a very difficult year. I would recommend Rainbow Trust to other families in need and we urge as many people as possible to get involved with the Great Rainbow Bake, even in a small way, to help raise funds for the charity.”
To get involved click here to sign up and download your fundraising pack which includes bunting, posters and cake labels. You will also find inspiring rainbow recipes to suit all budgets and skill levels, including rainbow cakes from Great British Bake Off winners Candice Brown who is also supporting the campaign and Nadiya Hussain plus cake kits by Craft and Crumb to purchase.
When serious illness affects a child, like Phoebe, family life is turned upside down and time becomes more precious than ever. Rainbow Trust pairs each family with a dedicated expert Family Support Worker to help them face and make the most of each new day. Rainbow Trust Family Support Workers are there for the whole family to help with whatever they need so that they don’t have to manage alone.
Oonagh Goodman, Director of Fundraising and Marketing at Rainbow Trust, said:
“We are delighted that Phoebe is well enough to front our Great Rainbow Bake Campaign. It is time dust off your aprons and get silly, get messy and get baking with friends and family to help us fund our vital support for families with a seriously ill child. Money raised from the event will enable families with a seriously ill child to make the most of the precious time they have together.”
